Monday 15 July 2013

St Swithin's Day


The 15th July is St Swithin's Day.

St Swithin's Day, if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain.
St Swithin's Day, if thou be fair,
For forty days t'will rain nae mair.

St Swithin was the Bishop of Winchester in the
ninth century. He was a kind and humble man. 
When he died he asked to be buried outside his church
so that his grave would be trodden on by the feet
of passers-by, and he would receive
the raindrops from the eaves.
The story is that when the monks wished to move his body 
many years later, it rained so hard
for forty days that they gave up the idea.

It was pretty fair today,
so I'd say we're in for the 
nae mair rain for forty days forecast.

The ceremony of swan-upping takes place in July.
The swan-markers (wearing special uniforms)
row up the Thames from London Bridge
to Henley, collecting all the swans
and marking the beaks of cygnets.*


* All information from
Something to Do. Never far from my side.

5 comments:

  1. Stunning photo Lucille. Makes me feel cooler just looking at it.

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  2. We also had a clear...but so, so hot, St. Swithin's day in New York. I guess I hope that we will at least get a shower well before forty days pass by.

    The swan picture is lovely. I have seen photos of the Thames swan-upping ceremony, and know that it's not a tranquil ceremony!

    Best wishes, xo

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  3. Well , it still hasn't rained yet ... 38 to go !

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  4. Long may this hot weather continue, sez I.....

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